Woman and Child First

Scarlett Affection

I know I've had a distinct music bias in my recent posts and I promise to start talking about bathroom sinks really soon, but these girls are so very cool, you have to know about them. Melia and Nerida are the sisters who form Scarlett Affection. They are incredibly talented women, beautiful voices.

Their website introduces them as "Australia's Best Kept Secret". Not for long. 

You can hear them at: ABC local

The Origins Of Us All

Driving to work yesterday, listening to the radio, I came across intriguing piece of interview with a man called Steven Strong. Details are sketchy here folks, but the upshot is that for decades the concensus of opinion amongst historian-types is that the human species originated from Mother Africa.

Turns out that's not right. In fact our origins were Australian aboriginals. This book details the research and the back-ups ( you know, juicy stories about human skulls etc.) that support this groundbreaking theory.

We are so interesting in this country! Yeah! We are also really freaking dumb since this book has no distribution here except for the two local bookshops that Steven himself has approached:  Mary Ryan's in Byron Bay and an unnamed shop in Lismore (ABC radio can't advertise, he was cut off quickly!)

Steven said if the book/theory had to be attended to first in the US and Europe, then so be it. Of course, the Americans have embraced it ( why are we so stupid in promoting our own ideas?) and bless them for that. Hey when you're in New York next, buy a copy here.

Or Amazon. Fascinating stuff.

She Drew The Hallelujah

"It's, as I say, a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way but with enthusiasm, with emotion.... It's a rather joyous song." ~ Leonard Cohen.

My favourite song ever, sung by someone completely unknown to me and she's has nailed it entirely. Covered by scores of high cool artists, this song for me is best handled by a woman called Allison Crowe. I'll even overlook the fact she spells Alison wrong. This is tear-inducing:

 

For Col.

Fresh Visual Edibles

Saturday mornings are for wearing jammies and watching RAGE.

Ben, my favourite 10 year old drew my attention to this clip on Coldplay. Lashings of fun:

Ok back to bed for my mid morning snooze...Happy weekend!

Turn Up The Volume, Sucker.

Inspired by a love of Australian music and a post written by Theresa Lee Duncan.

Exceptional Artists Start Here

 

There is a story behind this. It starts in the year of 1983, when I was 22. I met a man and married him. It was a difficult marriage that ended in 1989.

Amidst the difficulties however, and as a result of this union I developed two long standing relationships: a love of motorbikes and a love and respect for Alison Wafer (pictured above).

The marriage ended and eventually so did my contact with Al.(Please don't think the two events were related).

In September of 2008, I met and fell in love with a man who arrived into my life on a Moto Guzzi 1100 Griso.  

"Oh you just love him for the bike", say those evil doer's.

 Well sheesh - look at the bike!  Nah. He's the bestest, this man.

So after 15 years of quietly observing motorcycles, sideways glancing quick, pointing out the sound of a Ducati to my kids and thinking "That's all in the past", I met Col and willed Alison back into my life.

Alison has been a motorcyclist since her maiden years. I tracked her down via the net and her blog (see this is why you need to keep writing blogs - your old pals find you!)

Et Voila! Australia Day shall now be remembered as the day for reunion.

So I meet the man of my dreams - someone I respect and admire, say yes when he asks me to marry him, get to ride on the back of a motorcycle I sniff/pat with delight AND meet up again with the most interesting woman I've ever met.

And - that's AND! - I decide to learn to ride myself knowing I am completely protected and supported by these two exceptional artists of life.

Life is good!

Alison's artwork here.

 

Charcoal sketch of (Ben Wa)by Alison Wafer.

Worst Bushfire In Australian History

It's just so terribly sad. New fires starting up today with windy conditions are threatening more homes. 35 American fire fighters are on their way to help out.

The lives lost are confirmed at 173, expected to increase.

My thoughts and prayers go to the one's who have lost so much and to the emergency workers and fire fighters who continue to courageously work in such harsh and tragic conditions. Give them strength.

There have been huge donations of food and clothing from people particularly in Melbourne but the Red Cross are asking for cash in order to distribute it to the communties in effective ways. About $12 million dollars has so far been donated from Australians to the Red Cross. If you wish to donate go to the Red Cross website.

Picture from ABC newspage

One Day Whilst Twirling

I perchance did see a summer moment

 

The only missing component

   

Was not available.

 

Here's to the joys of childhood in summer: freedom, play and boundless energy.

 

And I Stuck It In! I stuck It in! Oi! I Stuck it in My Life!

Here is the motorbike I'm going to learn on: 

The fairing has to go. It's bulky and a bit stupid. Apart from that, I'd like to see what's underneath theSUZUKI  bit anyway. 

I had a worried friend slam me last night saying it was too big to learn on - "How are you going to manage that weight? It's too big for you!" She was cranky at me, and I'm gonna have to get used to that biznezz in my dealings with peoples.

But I've stuck it in my life. Let's go. (How'd ya get this far?)

At the risk of being dreadfully repetitive: